Posted on 09/15/2010 3:29:42 PM PDT by unclebankster
HE WAS supposed to be a shoo-in. Mike Castle, the popular former two-term governor and tiny Delaware’s sole representative in the House, was the odds-on favourite to win Delaware’s special election to fill the seat Joe Biden held for 36 years. But on September 14th, his Republican primary opponent, the tea-party backed Christine O’Donnell, won a surprising 53% of the vote. The perennial candidate was not taken seriously by Mr Castle, who refused to debate with her, or by the state Republican Party. Tom Ross, the chairman of the state GOP, described Ms O’Donnell as "not a viable candidate for any office, from dog catcher to senator."
Mr Castle, a moderate Republican, at least until recently, appealed to most voters. The American Conservative Union gave Mr Castle, a direct descendent of Ben Franklin, a rating of 56, which means he voted along conservative lines 56% of the time. His career rating is 52. This seemed to satisfy most Delawareans, who re-elected him comfortably every two years since 1992 (indeed Beau Biden, the vice-president’s son, was said to have ruled out a run to avoid facing the moderate Mr Castle in November’s general election). Americans for Democratic Action, a liberal organisation, considered him the third most liberal Republican in the House of Representatives. But this year Delaware's conservatives are feeling particularly anti-establishment and anti-incumbent.
Endorsements from the likes of Sarah Palin, a fellow “mama grizzly”, helped Ms O’Donnell enormously. Republicans in the First State were treated to hearing Ms Palin’s folksy robocall supporting Ms O’Donnell, a “constitutional conservative.” But it was the backing of the Tea Party Express which truly energised the campaign. After helping Joe Miller beat incumbent Lisa Murkowski in Alaska’s GOP primary last month, the Tea Party Express announced it would equal what it had spent in Alaska in Delaware. Most of the money came from outside the state.
This race, for Delaware, the nation’s second smallest state, was decidedly nasty. The language was vitriolic. Mr Ross received a death threat over his support of Mr Castle. Ms O’Donnell’s former campaign manager accused Mr Castle, who is married, of having an affair with a man. Ms O’Donnell called Mr Castle "a closet Democrat" and a RINO (Republican in Name Only), while Mr Castle called her a liar who can't keep her personal finances in order.
"We are sending a message," says Amy Kremer, chairwoman of the Tea Party Express, "excessive spending will not be tolerated" and Republicans should be more conservative. Ms O’Donnell’s surprise victory has shaken the state GOP party. The state GOP’s executives are even rumoured to be contemplating resigning and endorsing Chris Coons, the democratic pick for the Senate. The national party will not be funding Ms O'Donnell's general election bid. Polls suggested Mr Castle was more likely to defeat Mr Coons in November’s general election. Political observers as well as several leading conservatives, including Karl Rove, do not think the insurgent Ms O’Donnell has a chance in November. But Ms Kremer and her tea partiers have heard such talk somewhere before.
This doesn't surprise me one bit.The national republican party will "goldwater" the tea party movement.
He also voted with Democrats on the big issues and was a 40 year career politician.
Castle is a Democrat communist.
All “RINOS” are Democrat communists.
He also wanted Bush prosecuted...
You may want to do a little search for O'Donnell threads. The NRSC/John Cornyn have endorsed O'Donnell and will contribute to her campaign. She started off with a goal of raising $50k today in campaign contributions. She's already surpassed $500k, and is on her way to $1 million, possibly by tomorrow. And very little of that from the GOP itself.
The GOP has gotten a black eye over this, the people are behind her, and the GOP, if it wants to continue a viable party, will have to swing in line.
After all, she just took out a Castle...
Cheers!
They are backing down on that but no matter, with the internet and talk radio, conservatives don’t need the RNC they can fund themselves. Christine will likely raise nearly 1 million in one day, not including the measly 42k the party elitists begrudgingly gave her today.
the seat Joe Biden held for 36 years
That's just wrong. Even if he were conservative, that's just wrong.
It's a clear contrast, and if O'Donnell loses, hey - make the Dems own their liberalism. That's what getting rid of RINOs is all about.
FWIW the “measly $42K” is the maximum amount that the Senate GOP can legally contribute to a single candidate...
....but I agree with your meaning - they are trying to cover their collective butts
News reports indicate Cornyn was against supporting her until someone pulled him aside and read him the riot act.
A 2X4 upside the head to some of these career ‘GOP executives’ appears deserving.
The state GOP’s executives are even rumoured to be contemplating resigning and endorsing Chris Coons, the democratic pick for the Senate. ........................................ Now that is what I would call great news. Its obvious they were in the wrong party to begin with. Don’t let the door hit you guys in the rear, bye bye Rino’s.
Don’t you mean their “Collectivist” butts?
God it feels good to stick it to the man, man!
I like that.
I know nothing about Deleware politics, but I noticed that Forensic Files aired the story about the murder of Mary Ann Fahey by DE’s Atty General a number of years ago. Mary Ann Fahey was Mike Castle’s Secretary when he was Governor and when she disappeared. She had been seduced by the (married) Atty. Gen. (Capano) and carried on an affair with him for a number of years. He was controlling and mean, and he killed her because she wanted to break it off.
I’ve seen a number of versions of this case on TV over the years, but I didn’t realize until Sunday, or Monday, night that her employer was Mike Castle.
What are the chances that Castle knew about this office affair being conducted right under his nose and looked the other way? The Governor’s Secretary and the AG? Seems to me that there would be gossip around the State House.
In any case, the fact that this torrid story was replayed a day, or two before the election couldn’t have been a positive turn of events for US Rep. Castle. Mentioning his name in the context of an infamous case is not positive for anyone’s campaign. (Capano was convicted on circustantial and forensic evidence and the testimony of 2 of his brothers. No body was ever found.)
http://www.delawaregrapevine.com/4-10woo.asp
“...he worked at the National Coalition for the Homeless”
Chris Coons- the former Community Organizer.
Just like his idol Obama.
He is a classless, leftist POS.
I think one of the big GOP fables that certain states will only vote for RINOs. BS, thats what the GOP ruling class want you to think.
I suggest that people will vote for whatever they are offered.
Look at the high GOP turnout. It tells me that if someone runs who gives the voters a chance to rid themselves of the approved party nominee, they will jump on it. This is why they figured a small Delaware turnout of around 30,000 and almost got 60,000.
Gives me hope that with Tea Party type support here in Indiana, we can remove the Dick Lugar from office.
> “The Trebuchet.” After all, she just took out a Castle...
I love it. I’m going to borrow it.
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